A youth centre with a difference is about to be launched for young people in the east Oxford area.

The Mish, housed in the basement of the old Mission Hall in St Clement's, is aimed at 11- to 18-year-olds. It will be mainly operated and managed by local teenagers, with supervision from two paid members of staff.

Its showpiece is a drop-in cafe, which becomes a disco on Friday and Saturday nights. Other features include a music practice room, shortly to be soundproofed and a computer room, where IT training will be offered.

The new Mish centre has been developed downstairs from 11 rooms which for the past year have offered affordable accommodation to 18- to 25-year-olds at risk of homelessness.

St Clement's rector, the Rev Bruce Gillingham, said: "The idea was to find a place where young people could feel at home, own their own space and relax together. The main beneficiaries will be young people in the wards of St Clement's and East Oxford, which are both areas of special deprivation."

The Mish had a £58,000 start-up grant from East Oxford Action, and is receiving another £10,000 soon. St Clement's Church, whose parish property trustees own the building, was asked to match that, but was allowed to count donations of equipment and time.

The centre will be open on Tuesday to Thursday from 3.30pm to 8pm, and on Fridays and Saturdays from 7.30pm to 11pm.

Users will be encouraged to pay a £10 membership fee to help fund the running costs, and those attending the disco nights will also be able to bring guests, who will be charged an entry fee.

The project is funded for four years, but Mr Gillingham hopes The Mish will be self-funding beyond that.